§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the NEDO report on the reported fundamental weaknesses in the United Kingdom computer industry.
§ Mr. CryerThe recent preliminary report on the United Kingdom computer industry by the NEDC Sectoral Working Party on Computers was one of a number 421W of sectoral studies produced in the first round of industrial strategy discussions. I have sent copies of these sectoral reports to companies and trade unions. Comments received on them are being taken into account in the working parties' continuing discussions.
§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will now invite NEDO to prepare a statement on those aspects of the computer industry not directly covered by its report, software houses, bureaux and service companies.
§ Mr. CryerThe industrial strategy discussions under NEDC are primarily concerned with manufacturing industry. My Department has undertaken a separate study of the services and systems aspects of the computer industry in co-operation with the Computer Services Association and the Civil Service Department. Various proposals arising from the resulting report which is near completion are already under discussion between the Association and the Departments concerned.